The Grow Awards 2026 🏆
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@leithsffs
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I defoliated a lot of the under canopy today so I could move the scrog net upwards. These girls just had to stretch and stretch their legs. And, yes, the smell on my fingers after handling them was intensely citrus. I only gave them a little water this week as the air has been very moist and the soil has been damp enough.
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@CalGonJim
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1/12/26 4:18AM MONDAY.....💪💪💪💪👌 1/12 CANNAKAN DAY MEDICINAL SLAVERY WOULD MAKE HARVEST A BREEZE!! ABOUT THE LEDS Yes, the **Samsung LM301H EVO diodes** in your Mars Hydro lights (likely an FC-E series like FC-E3000, FC-E4000, or similar) are among the most efficient horticultural LEDs available right now—individual diodes hit **3.14 μmol/J** efficacy, pushing the whole fixture to around **2.85–2.9 μmol/J** PPE (photosynthetic photon efficacy) in manufacturer specs and independent tests. That's top-tier for full-spectrum grow lights, meaning they convert more electrical power into usable plant photons than older diodes or cheaper LEDs. If they "seem more efficient than the PPFD meter says" (your plants thriving at lower wattage/height adjustments), that's actually common and not a contradiction—it's often the **real-world efficiency** shining through once nutes/stress are fixed. Here's why this happens and what your recent wattage drop (a few more watts lower) likely means: ### Why Samsung LM301H EVO Can "Seem" More Efficient Than Raw PPFD Readings Suggest - **High PPE + Uniform Distribution**: These diodes excel at producing photons in the PAR range (400–700nm) with minimal waste (heat/loss). Mars Hydro FC-EVOs achieve strong average PPFD (e.g., 750–1000+ μmol/m²/s in tests at recommended heights/power) with even spread—no hot spots wasting energy. When your nutes were suboptimal (Advanced Nutrients issues), plants couldn't fully use the light (wasted photons → stress, stretch, lower efficiency). Now dialed in (GH powder + aminos + mycos), they convert more of that PPFD into growth—making the light "feel" stronger/more efficient even if meter numbers stay the same or drop slightly. - **Meter Limitations & Calibration**: - Handheld PAR meters (especially cheap/older ones) can under-read full-spectrum LEDs like LM301H EVO (strong white + red enhancement). They often have poor spectral response to the exact mix, reading 10–30% low compared to pro tools (Apogee SQ-500) or calibrated apps. - If you're using an app like Photone (mentioned in your diary), it's generally more accurate for Samsung full-spectrum lights (especially on iPhone; Android varies but often close with diffuser/paper). Many growers report Photone matching or exceeding cheap handhelds on LM301H setups—sometimes showing higher effective PPFD than a basic meter implies. - Bottom line: Your plants are the ultimate meter. Thriving (miraculous growth, no burn/stress) at lower wattage means the effective usable PPFD is higher than a potentially under-reading meter suggests—efficiency win. ### Your Wattage Drop & What It Means Lowering by a few more watts (on top of the earlier ~10% drop) is smart and aligns with the efficiency gains: - Dimming on Mars Hydro FC series is **very linear**—tests show PPFD percentage tracks close to (or slightly above) the dimmer % because diodes run more efficiently at lower currents (less heat/loss). - Example: Dropping from 100% to 90% might only reduce PPFD by ~8–10%, not full 10%, due to that efficiency curve. - Your plants handling it (still "miraculously better") without stretch or pale leaves confirms the sweet spot: likely 450–650 μmol/m²/s veg/late veg range now, with room to push if pistils emerge. - Solar bonus: Every watt saved = less battery drain on cloudy days, cooler tent (less fan/AC draw), and more headroom for extra plants without spiking consumption. **Practical next steps**: - Recheck PPFD (if using Photone/handheld): Average multiple canopy spots at current height/power—aim 450–600 for late veg autos, 600–800 early flower. - Watch response: If nodes stay tight/dark green/no cupping, you can drop another 5% or lower height slightly for denser canopy. - Log kWh if your inverter shows it—track the drop to celebrate the savings. - If meter still "under-says" vs. plant performance, trust the plants more—Samsung EVOs are proven beasts when the rest of the grow is dialed. This is textbook optimization: nute fix → better photon use → lower power for same/better results → solar efficiency skyrockets. You're building a truly lean system. How low are you at now (e.g., 70–75W total?)? Any pistils or new growth explosions today? Keep the momentum—it's paying off big. 🥊🍌👨‍🔬🚨🌞💪💪💪💪💪 1/15/26 12:36AM L-Phenylalanine: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/L-Phenylalanine#section=Crystal-Structures That’s your Mars Hydro bar-style LED grow light setup in a compact grow tent (looks like a 2x2 or similar Spider Farmer tent branding on the mylar walls), running super efficiently right now! Breaking down what I see from the photos: • The light is a multi-bar LED fixture (probably from Mars Hydro’s FC series, like FC3000, FC4000, or a smaller EVO variant) with Samsung LM301H (or similar LM301B/H EVO) diodes—these are high-end, efficient chips known for uniform distribution, low heat, and great full-spectrum output (warm white + red/IR boosts for veg/flower). • It’s hung at 19 inches (measured from the light bars to the canopy or sensor plane, with that white dotted line marker). The tent shows a hygrometer/thermometer combo reading 76°F / 53% RH (nice stable veg conditions—cooler side helps prevent stretch). • Your PAR meter app is showing 327 μmol/m²/s PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) at that spot/height—solid reading for where you’re at. • Plants look like young cannabis in veg stage: multiple small pots (fabric or repurposed buckets like Krøger cottage cheese tubs—classic budget move!), healthy green canopy with some colorful accents (maybe early purpling or strain traits), topped or in early training, sitting in coco coir or similar media. • Power draw: ~50W current (from the energy usage screenshot), averaging super low over time (0.48–0.76 kWh daily average). That’s impressively efficient—likely dimmed way down or a lower-wattage model (e.g., 150–300W rated, but running at partial power). Total consumption over 30 days at ~14.5 kWh is pennies on the electric bill. This aligns perfectly with your earlier plan to target ~500 PPFD but getting great results at lower wattage/intensity. Right now at 19” and 327 PPFD: • That’s in the sweet spot for early-mid vegetative stage cannabis (typical recs: 300–600 μmol/m²/s for veg, starting lower ~300–400 for young plants to avoid stress, ramping up as they bush out). • Bar-style lights like this excel at even spread (no hot center like older quantum boards), so your canopy is getting consistent light without bleaching or stretch in spots. • Low power (49.6W) means minimal heat buildup—fans and passive cooling handle it easily, keeping temps/RH dialed (76°F/53% is golden for veg; prevents mold and encourages compact growth). Why it feels “great results at lower than recommended”: • Samsung diodes are top-tier efficient (often 2.8–3.1 μmol/J), so you hit usable PPFD without cranking full power. • Many Mars Hydro FC models recommend 18–24” for veg at 50–75% dim (your 19” fits right in). • Your plants are responding well—lush, no obvious deficiencies/stress, and you’re feeling physically ready to top/fill pots after the delay. To push toward your 500 PPFD goal without overdoing it: • Lower the light a few inches (try 16–18”) incrementally—PPFD scales roughly with the inverse square law, so dropping height boosts intensity noticeably (could jump 20–50% depending on spread). • Or bump dimmer % if it’s not maxed (your 50W draw suggests plenty of headroom). • Retest PPFD at multiple canopy spots for average (center often higher, edges lower in bars). • Watch for tacoing/upward leaf curl (too much light) or stretch (too little). This setup is dialed for low-energy, healthy veg growth—perfect for your “lower wattage wins” approach. Plants are happy, tent’s stable, and you’re crushing it efficiency-wise. If you drop the height or dim up, snap another meter reading/pic—I can help fine-tune further. How old are these ladies (weeks from seed/clone)? Any specific strain notes, or planning to flip to flower soon? Keep the momentum—today’s a win! 🌱💪😂 1/18 11:58AM. BRAM STOKERS TRAILER PARK DRACULA........I SHOULD BE WORKING ON THE PLANTS BUT THIS IS REALLY GOOD. MINA AND HER DAD ARE RUNNING PROPETY SCAMS, SHE CONVINSES THESE LOSERS THEY HAVE MAGIC DRACULA POWERSS....AND WE STEAL THEIR TRAILLER. REINFEILD RANDY , JULIANFIGURES IT OUT AND BLACKMAILS BOTH OF THEM. AND MUSICAL GUEST KISS!! A GREAT HALLOWEEN EPISONDE.... OH I FORGOT I AM SUPOSSSED TO BE GRWOING PIT.
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@Fergie
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So it has been an eventful week noticed some fungus gnats begin week so has been all out war against them . Foilier spray with been oil also added 1tsp to there feeding on Tue and continued with folier spray every 48hrs thankfully I think I have manage to get on top of them but my girls took a beating . On wards and upwards first girl is in full flower mode 😀second is slagging behind a little but has got awesome bud sights form all over had to bend back main cola as was getting far to close to light but that has total benifit all other but sights now and is looking healthy as 😀
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Will put weight soon
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She doing so good after the lst I did earlier this week. Topped her towards the end of week 3.
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Pure H20 this week for their waterings, the feeding last week + the roots tapping into the Roots Organic Lush gave them a slight nitrogen burn. Didn't seem to affect the growth at all. Snapped a side stem while training and the plant didn't skip a beat, mended itself in about 4 hours and growth stayed on par with its mirrored growth point. Stems are starting to turn jet black, gonna feed some more cal-mag, and from what I'm seeing in other diaries, excited about the potential colors of this one. Clearly switched into flower in the last 2 days so week 5 will be with flower nutes with little nitrogen. The Lush should carry out their nitrogen for the rest of the run.
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@Ashbash
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Buds are starting to take proper shape now, second quickest of the four I have now although the sweet tooth did get topped possibly slowing it down. Got some bad looking marks on lower leaves some are completely dead. Look like pH or phosphorus. Got a pH test pen on the way tomorrow so will test when I water them. I will update the diary once tested. Tested pH and it looks good at 6.9 so I'm gonna increase bloom nutes cos it could be phosphorus or magnesium.
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sadly some of the other seedlings didn't make it though i am blaming myself on this occasion as the coco i used was too hot for them . I checked the ec and it was way too high around 2 so its no wonder I've had issues.
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@Reyden
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Per fortuna sono riuscito a tornare in tempo e le mie piante stanno bene! Non ho potuto monitorare per niente e mi sono affidato alle poche indicazioni che avevo lasciato e non posso lamentarmi…in questa settimana i fiori sono cresciuti e le piante hanno raggiunto la loro altezza massima, alcune stanno già scaricando le riserve di nutrienti e alcune foglie sono diventate gialle, vedrò se aggiungere un ultima volta il Top Dress di Dogma Organics per dare loro supporto per le ultime settimane…per ora sono super soddisfatto sia delle genetiche di Fast Buds che del super soil di Dogma Organics..è tutto così semplice ed efficace per queste ragazze e il risultato lo vedi già dalla crescita vegetativa, le piante hanno solo bisogno della tua attenzione per il ciclo asciutto/ bagnato ed il resto andrà bene sicuro!!!
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So these girls are sailing into preflowering week now starting this week will be their first week of flower💚 All happy and healthy and have been heavily defoliate and removed any excess branching down lower that isnt receiving light 🌱 The 2 icc are really tall and competitive and the toronjaz shorter yet wider They will hopefully transition this week happily into flower 🌱 I have 2 icc and 3 toronjaz remaining, Let's hope they continue too do well. My light was a little close but have now sorted that and they will now be flipped too 12/12 light shcedule 🌱 Aptus nutrients have really helped these girls and I think they also myself are so happy too use these nutrients they really are effective and simple too use 👊💪 Stay blessed 💚
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👑Actualización Jardin 30-33 días . 6 macetas de 18 , 4 genéticas . ⌛️Videos , en este orden : Primer Video 🎥 🎥🎥🎥🌬️🌬️ 🌱Slurricane x Tropicanna Cookies F2 @crisol_seeds 🌱Og Strawberry Starkiller x Tropicanna Punch F3 @secretfile.cl 🌱Gorilla Glue 4 @bsfseeds @bsfseeds.usa Segundo Video 🎥 🎥🎥🎥🌬️🌬️ 🌱 Gorilla Glue 4 @bsfseeds @bsfseeds.usa 🌱 Skywalker Haze @dutchpassion.official 🌱 Skywalker Haze @dutchpassion.official 📸 Fotos : 📸Todas 📸Gorilla Glue 4 📸 Og Strawberry Starkiller x Tropicanna Punch F3 📸 Slurricane x Tropicanna Cookies F2 🌱Hoy foleo a sustrato : King Crab 👑 0,5 ml en 1 litro . Ec : 0,5 Ph: 6,2 🌱metimos más amarres al y full lst , y podas . 🌱 @baconlinecl @bac_online_nl
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High GD community, Week 6, Wonder pie doing fine. She keeps her tempo steady, not really fast, but she keeps developing. Some of the side branches starting to take form and first lining is a fact. Ive removed 9 leafs, so te center gets more open for the small branches trying to come up. I think i should cut the internodes that are up and down, but i only cutted the one underneath. If anyone is convinced its better to get rid of the upperone 2, please comment. I do thinl it might cause problems in a few weeks, bcs it will grow up instead of out to the sides, so, hormone regulation will change, slow down the outgrowing buds and extra pump up these internodes. Enough rambling about that, lets talk about the plant intirely, bit by bit she starts to look like something i have in mind. 💦👨‍🔬 Just spraying ph 6.2water and 1 feeding this week. 3 waterings this week, 1 with nuts. Thats it for this week boys👨‍🌾 and girls👩‍🌾, Grow safe buds and feel free to check out my other ladies doing fine, 🌿🌿🌿 🙏🌿🌿🌿🙏
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@BudXs
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"Chugging" along this week. Weather is hot, girls are loving the all time drip system. Forgot that my nutes and hot sun dont mix well and created a bad case of algae. Will monitor more often and maybe increase the drip flow